Let's Talk about Human Rights

In general, human rights are basic right that every human being as entitled as endowment from God. The following are the definitions of human rights.


1. Prof. M. Koentjoro Poerbapranoto argues that human rights are the fundamental rights which are entitled to all human beings as their nature so that it is a pure matter.


2. John Locke states that human rights are basic rights that are innate to all human beings.


3. According to Law No. 26 Year 2000 on Human Rights Jurisdiction (Undang-Undang No. 26 Tahun 2000 tentang Pengadilan HAM), human rights are rights that are entitled as the nature and existence of God's creature and it is God's endowment that should be respected, protected by the state, law, government, and everyone for the sake of protecting human being's value.


Kinds of Human Rights


Basic rights that entitled to human beings are as many as their daily life activities. However, the human rights are commonly categorized into six areas of human life as follows.


1. Personal rights are freedom to adhere everyone's respective religion, right to life, and right to freedom of speech.


2. Property rights are ownership rights, right to sell and buy something, right to make contracts.


3. Legal quality rights are rights to receive equal legal protection and government protection.


4. Political rights are right to be recognized as an equal citizen. Thus, every citizen has rights to elect and to be elected, to found a political party or an organization, and to pose a petition, critic, and suggestion.


5. Social and cultural rights are right to choose certain education or develop certain desirable culture.


6. Procedural rights are rights to receive the same treatment on court procedures such as right to receive equal and proper treatment in arrest, detention, frisk, court, and legal advocacy.